The way Lacey native Elijah Sanders talks about his new head coach, Brady Bergeson, and his new team and school, Regis University, they couldn’t be, in his own words, “more of a perfect fit”, for the 2013 Timberline High School graduate.

“He's known for really pushing guys physically and getting the best out of players,” Sanders said of Bergeson, after signing a letter of intent to continue his men’s basketball career at the NCAA Division II school in Denver, Colorado. “That’s what I’m excited about.”

Sanders joins a Regis team that went 5-21 this past season and returns 11 letterwinners. Bergeson, like Sanders, is new to Regis, too. He recently was hired from Western Oregon out of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference after leading the Wolves for the past four seasons, including a 23-7 overall mark in 2014-'15.

Playing just one season at South Puget Sound Community College after transferring from Central Wyoming, Sanders was the Clippers’ starting center this past season averaging 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, earning Northwest Athletic Conference West Region All-Defensive honors, but could play more along the perimeter at Regis, Landon said.

But for Sanders, he’s OK with whatever role he’s put in.

“I don’t mind playing inside,” he said.

Landon said Sanders, 19, sets a great example and “a blue print for local kids.”

“He’s a good example of how to do it,” Landon said, “and I’m proud of him.”